Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Before I chat about what's all been happening with me - I want to post a tribute to someone I only got to know recently when I relocated to the USA. His name is Paul Harvey, who died recently at the tender age of 90.

From the Chicago Tribune (read the whole article here ) ... Paul Harvey, A Chicago radio man whose melodious voice and hearty "Hello, America" were cherished by millions for more than 57 years on national broadcasts that were an entrancing mix of news, storytelling and gently persuasive salesmanship, died Saturday. He was 90.

Called "the voice of Middle America" and "the voice of the Silent Majority" by the media for his flag-waving conservatism, Harvey died surrounded by family in a Phoenix hospital, an ABC Radio Networks spokesman said. The cause of death was not immediately available.

"Paul Harvey was the most listened to man in the history of radio," said Bruce DuMont, president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. ...

I knew him with the "rest of the story" stories and LOVED them - hubby and I often would make a point to listen to his show and reruns of it.

So from time to time on my blog I am going to post a tribute to him with one of his rest of the story, stories. The first one I heard of his was a story about Fidel Castro and it was very interesting but I cannot for the life of me find it. Anyway here is one that I want to post for now - and later in this post is more stuff about me and whats happening in my life recently...

Macie's Grudge

James Macie was illegitimate, a stigma which would cling to him for the rest of his life.He died wealth; he died revered and renowned scientist. But such were the laws of eighteenth-century England that James Macie was denied in life the rights of the most ordinary citizen, denied those rights because of his illegitimacy.

So James Macie held a grudge. A lasting and bitter grudge for the lifelong deprivation of his honor. And we, you and I, benefited from that grudge in a most remarkable way!James Macie was born in France in 1765, the illegitimate son of a British duke.With Jim's father more or less out of the picture, the boy's devoted mother, herself a woman of wealth, returned to England with Jim and immediately set about the task of achieving her son's official acceptance.She got this far: Jim was decreed a naturalized British subject. Still, because of his illegitimacy, his rights were restricted at almost every turn.He could not enter Parliament.He could not hold public office.He could not hold a job under civil serviceHe could not enter the Army, nor the Navy, nor the church.He could not receive any grants of property at the disposal of the Crown.Perhaps least fair of all, he could never hold the title of his true father, the Duke of Northumberland.Jim grew up knowing those restrictions. Maybe that accounts for his desire to excel at everything. Whatever the motivation, he did excel.

In 1786, Jim graduated from Pembroke College and shortly thereafter launched himself upon a scientific career. Many sophisticated experiments and published results later, Jim became a respected scientist. While his scientific colleagues, no more talented than he, were being knighted for their accomplishments, Jim was denied that honor. Through no fault of his own, but because he was born illegitimate.

It is no wonder that James Macie held a grudge. He vowed never to marry, realizing that the stigma of illegitimacy would pass to his children. Yet in his lifetime James Macie conceived another form of immortality. And the idea in itself would serve as his personal rejection of the country which had rejected him.

When Jim died in 1829, he died a wealthy man with no heirs who could claim his vast fortune, In his will he sought revenge on England by leaving all of his money ... to the United States of America!

Jim had never even visited the United States. Yet by willing his fortune to us, he disinherited England as it had disinherited him.

In his will he specified that his money was to be used for the foundation of an establishment which would increase and diffuse knowledge among men and which would perpetuate his true family name, denied him at birth. The name he adopted later in life. The name Smithson.

And thus, the gift he gave us - the establishment which in reality represents the torment of illegitimacy - is today our country's most magnificent storehouse of cultural and scientific accomplishment.It is called the Smithsonian Institution. and now you know THE REST OF THE STORY.

I am so chuffed that I will still be able to hear Paul Harvey's friendly voice saying HELLO AMERICA as he goes on to tell another lekker interesting story

OKAY ONTO STUFF ABOUT WHATS HAPPENING WITH ME...

Yip I know long time no type huh! Well firstly - we got a new puppy - well actually we rescued her - her name is Tandi or Ivory we cant make up our minds yet - hubby wanted Blondie but I am not keen.

We were driving up a lonely country road after a day of very rare snowfall around these parts - and she stood in the middle of the road - as we approached slowly she followed the car and my heart just went out to her - I could count the ribs each one of them and the knots on her spine she was starving - she jumped up to the window and that was it - she needed food, water and shelter from the ice cold weather and I couldn't drive on.

The first 4 days with us she ate 9 pounds of food and drank 6 gallons of water - shame poor thing - anyway she is delightful and also naughty with chewing everything she can get her paws on - but we will get through this - we love her and of course Eddie has been walking around with a bloody hardon for 2 weeks now because as fate would have it 4 days of us having her she came on heat.

I tried to keep them away and managed pretty well but they wore me down the last couple of days during the "most dangerous" stage of the on heat process - Eddie who hardly barks started howling like you see in the movies - well that did it for me. So soon we may have puppies but I also think if we do it may not be too many (I am hoping this is the case) as Eddie is a cross between a basset hound and a traveling salesman - and Tandi is a short haired golden retriever - well that's what I was told - and she does look like one - anyway we shall see - Eddie has the build and height of a basset - so he wasn't exactly able to reach - I know that if and when she is ready she will allow it and make it possible - however I watched them most of the time and she got frustrated too and grabbed him from time to time and tried to pomp him hahahahah - as if to say - listen poepall THIS is how its done - bloody hell do I have to draw you a map?!

I have put out the word for her, we have had her now for 3 weeks and not seen one flier or anything and I have also called the local vet to find out if any one has called about a lost doggy - believe me if it were mine I would be out knocking door to door and we don't live too far from where we found her.

The vet said no one had called and so enjoy our new addition to the family. This actually happens quite a lot in the country and I think that really sucks when people get puppies and just cross the city limits to dump them and go home and leave them out here to fend for themselves - and she looks like she was one of those. She is about a year old and in 2 min taught her to sit and give me her paw for a doggy treat - now I don't have to even say anything just show her the treat and she sits and gives her paw - too cute!

I will post a pic as soon as I get the camera working - Ja the hubby has been at his best fiddling (and not in that special way heheheh) and so now the lovely digital camera we had no longer works like it should because he tried to make it electrical as well as use batteries. But when using the batteries one day forgot to take out the wires for the electrical connection and as a result more voltage went through than should of and fried it like an egg - so now I don't know! and I cant just pick up the bloody thing and use it I have to wait for Professor Papenfoos to get home! grrrrrrrrrrrr

So that is the one bit of news the other is and this I am over the moon about - my hubby bought us a new home for our 10th anniversary - so although I am up in the air I am also stunned and excited and all that goes with this including stressed LOL - the paper work is going through as I type - its a buyers market right now and we couldn't pass up this opportunity - as some of you know - we lost our home almost 2 years ago to a fire and have been renting for the past 19 months and doesn't that burn your bum hey having to pay someone else's mortgage off rather than your own.

Anyway hopefully we should be taking occupation within the next month or so - here is a pic of it - please note the maroon ANYTHING is the first thing that is going to be going - I am not a lover of maroon - it has a lovely fenced in back yard - the whole property is on half an ache, which is more than enough for us - it even comes with a jacuzzi - not sure if its working or not - anyway I am over the moon - here is a pic... Please note too that this pic was taken in the middle of winter...

So there you have it - I am one chuffed little cricket - the house is 8 min drive from hubby's work vs 40 min drive now - so its closer to town and I wont be out in the boonies - as far as we know, although it has a city address, hubby thinks it's just outside the city limits - which is also good because there are quite a few ordinances and rules and tariffs when living in the city limits, that you don't have living outside the city limits.

Well that's about all the news - I have lots to say about this bloody bail out and AIG getting lekker bonuses and lekker geball hey! Those that got them, now have to pay 90% tax on them - I would prefer they did not get them to start with - but I am happy with 90% back rather than nothing - I'm sorry - I don't care what politics says or what legal documents say - a bonus is given when you do well - you don't get a bloody bonus when you run the company into the ground and expect us to bail you and you still get it - NO SIRREE BOB

Anyway China's take care of you and yours and if I don't see you thru the week I'll spot ja thru the window!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all PrognosticatorsAwoke to the call of President Bill CooperAnd greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John GriffithsAfter casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time And a bright sky above me Showed my shadow beside me.

So Spring will be here this time next month - Lets hope March isn't In like a Lion out like a Lamb - today we have a tornado warning - it is so weird where I am right now the sky is blue and sun is shinning but I can see in the distance these MASSIVE white/grey/black clouds that looks so angry and that is where the tornado warnings are - we are under a tornado watch.

Talking about Punxitawny Phil - I told my mother the whole story about ground hog day etc etc - and those of you who knew her will giggle at this - for those of you that don't - my mom was a character 2nd to none - she called a spade a spade and wasn't afraid of anything! Anyway I was telling her the whole story about how groundhog day is a huge thing and they have marching bands and the mayor and everyone attends to see if this groundhog sees his shadow or not and if he does it means that there will be 6 more weeks of winter and if not that Spring is around the corner - its a tradition in PA anyway I was telling my mother all this and she was listening with such enthusiasm and then after if all she says mmmmm now that is the biggest load of shit I have ever heard hahahaahahahahah

I got this in an email recently and although I have sent it out to most of my buddies I really think its funny and you may enjoy it and have a good laugh - so here it is...

True Story apparently!

A city councilman in Utah , Mark Easton, had a beautiful view of the east mountains, until a new neighbor purchased the lot below his house and built a new home.

The new home was 18 inches higher than the ordinances would allow, so Mark Easton, mad about his lost view, went to the city to make sure they enforced the lower roof line ordinance.

The new neighbor had to drop the roof line, at great expense !!!!

Recently, Mark Easton called the city, and informed them that his new neighbor had installed some vents on the side of his home..

Mark didn't like the look of these vents and asked the city to investigate.

When they went to Mark's home to see what the vents looked like, this is what they found...

Now that's what you call revenge hahahahaa and quite honestly serves the council man right - just because you can doesnt mean you should!

Well you can stick a fork in me because I am DONE - I know I need to blog more and more - I will other than that if I don't see you through the week I will see you through the window cheers chinas

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Dit Kom Soos n' groot kak hey - its like one min youre gearing up for xmas and new year and before you know it its nearly Feb - I can tell you one thing I am tired of this bloody cold weather hey. First time in years I have been this cold.

Anyway I saw some pics of Cape Town recently and saw a new bridge or over pass they are building at hospital bend - thats going to be something and I also saw the stadium they are building for 2010 world cup - now that is a joll in the happening - I remember the rugby world cup and that city rocked for weeks.

Talking about a city that rocked - Washington DC had the party of parties hey on tuesday - I watched all the festivites on telly and I have to say I enjoyed it all - I love marching bands etc and all the pomp and ceremony. The sea of people was amazing - but I tell you it was bloody cold here that day so I can only imagine how cold it was there and although I know the atmosphere must have been incredible - I was quite happy tucked up under blankets with heaters and watching it at home.

I had to laugh a friend of mine has a bulldog - with such a cute and wonderful personality (2nd to my dog that is - sorry GG but The Edward takes preference) anyway she has her own tanning bed and was in it the other day. GG often tries to get in with her. She also falls asleep in it for what ever time she lays there - she told me that she woke up hearing a funny noise and as she turned her head there was GG, his head resting on the tanning bed right next to her shoulder, he was standing and FAST asleep snoring his head off hahahaahahahahah now isnt that just too cute man.

I have never been one that makes a lot of new years resolutions, that being said my for this year is simple - Laughter and lots of it - I am a person that likes to laugh and enjoy laughing and watching others laugh - so that is my mission to laugh and as often as possible!

My better half is out of town for work this week and comes home tomorrow (cant wait - dont like it when he isnt here) anyway before he left we were listening to music and he is a HUGE fan of Steve Hackett and found this song he wrote sung by Randy Crawford - and it is one of his favourites and he sat singing it to me while the music spoke to his soul - we have all been there when a certain song just talks to your soul its so beautiful to see and feel - and I loved watching him enjoy it and sing it - thanx my love...

As anyone that knows me, Supertramp is my ultimate mostest and bestest in the westest band so this ones for you honbun...

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My sister sent me this poster and I think its beautiful and needs to be shared - here are the words...

"In the midst of global crises such as pollution, war and famine, kindness may be too easily dismissed as a "soft" issue, or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved. But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas -- kindness toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering, Until we reflect basic kindness in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile.

Simple kindness may be th emost vital key to the riddle of how human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share. That idea is at the heart of everything the Human Kindness Foundation does."

--Bo Lozoff

I have not written anything on my blog for sometime as you can see - so here are a few of my thoughts about stuff that has happened ...

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year:I know its not that time yet but I do want to say that I wish y'all a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year too - 2009 is going to be a good one I can feel it in my water.

For Mrs Airey: Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. My friends Mom passed away this week - so to Zan, John, Christine and Ingrid - my thoughts and prayers are with you right now.

Happy Thanksgiving:Since living in the USA I have to say, thanksgiving has become one of my most favourite holidays - lots of family and food and fun is normally had by all. We had a great one this year - so here is wishing y'all a fantastic thanxgiving - even if you don't celebrate it - I just want to say thank you for being in my life and you all know who you are.

Facebook:Thank goodness for facebook - you know when I first joined Facebook I thought mmmmm just another bloody my space thang - but I have to say I finally get it hahahahaah - it is a way of keeping up with friends (who often go there and report whats going on in their lives) without actually connecting - which when life happens is hard to do when you are busy and with all the time zones and all you know - so its great - and I am really enjoying it - ok there are bells and whistels I could do with out but hey - most of the time its great to see how people are doing and that they ARE doing - when you just dont hear a word from them its hard to keep friendship alive then you know. So way to go Facebook

The US Election:Well the elections are FINALLY over - I have to say these ones were mild compared to the 2 others I have been through - mild as in campaign ads that flung dung at each other - which I have to say I was very pleased to see as I was avoiding the news channels for this reason but with the ads you CANT avoid that its on EVERY station - thank heavens for DVD's.

Anyway its over and although I didn't vote for him - I am not upset about the new president elect. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for all the money in China hey - seems there are so many expectations from every side for this person (to fail or not to fail - that is the question!) - who is just a man btw- I am going to have to keep reminding myself that fact because from the one side there are those that are acting like the Messiah has just landed to the other side that are short of shouting Armageddon - really find a happy place and remember he is just a man!

What I am most impressed about is that - and correct me if I am wrong please - from what I know - which isn't much - this is the first time I know of a majority voting someone in from a minority - and in my books thats something impressive. (even though Jessie Jackson is on my "most disliked peoples" list - seeing tears roll down his eyes when it was announced and Barrack was giving his speech - I felt empathy and got all verklempt too)

I have read over and over from the anti side - why he shouldn't have been elected - from not being born in the USA, to his Islamic faith - the fact that he has gone to a Christian church for 20 years is overlooked with "thats the plan all along" - I just roll my eyes and then remember THE ONLY speech I was impressed with during the campaign was Joe Liberman's - he voiced something that I have said many times over - you are an American 1st before a dem or rep - don't forget that! - when Bush was elected - I saw and heard for 8 years the most horrible words and actions come out of the mouths of some Dem's - and I don't mean "oh he is an asshole or a baboon" - and the very actions and words I heard and saw then - I am now seeing the very same ugliness from some of the rep. As the stomach turns!!! 2 peas out the same pod! - it is one thing having a different point of view - because with that you bring something different to the table - that being said having that difference and just bringing destructive points of view to the table is not constructive in anyway - I got so tired of negative comments and shout outs from those that hate bush with such a fervor that one tends to just switch off you know - really he too is just a man - I do not hold much faith in any politicians period - but I do know this because I had to study this to become a citizen - any sitting president CANNOT just sommer declare war - the senate has to take a vote.

So next time y'all out there that want to belly ache against Bush remember this please

Barack Obama was right when he said he did NOT vote for the war - HE WASN'T A SENATOR THEN!

The Vice President Elect - Joe Biden and the Secretary of State Elect - Hillary Clinton - voted YES for the Iraq war.

The 2004 elections, Bush opponents John Kerry and John Edwards - also voted YES for the Iraq war.

Weather its Bush, Obama, Clinton, Kerry, Blair, Brown or whom ever - some in my view are assholes some of the time others are assholes period - Kerry in my view falls in the latter - I don't know these people - the only way I am able to judge them is by trying to read their body language with others - because they can stand there and promise you the world - thats politics.

I remember when Gore ran again Bush - one day he was up Jack backside so to speak (big Tjomies) with Bill Clinton - photos with his arm around Bill Clinton's neck - and the minute he announced his run he dropped Clinton like a hot potatoe - had boggerall to do with him. That defined him right there for me - oh and besides the "I created the internet comment!" what a dork! - his gesture with his wife - as beautiful as it was and warm hearted - kind of made me think GET A ROOM Budro! hahahah he practically pomped her at the podium! joke hahahaha

I remember Bush too with his gestures - how he hugged his wife and how he commented on her - okay he too made some massive blunders when he opened his mouth LOL but same with Obama - his gestures towards his wife and kids are a delight to watch - I mean honestly who doesn't like to see a man love his wife and family huh? He too though said some doozies that I laughed at - which endures people to them I think because it shows they are human after all -

With Hillary and Bill Clinton - there is no love there - well it sure doesn't look like it - they are not demonstrative people at all together - and Bill Clinton to me is a very demonstrative person - when he talks he comes across very sincere (I can watch him talk for hours) - yet when they are together there is such an insincerity vibe - so I have to wonder whats up with that relationship - to me thats a business partnership not a friendship/ marriage - sorry thats how I judged that one

With Barack Obama thats a friendship and marriage - and thats important to me you know. I remember being very irate with Hillary for staying with Bill after the Monica thang because lets face it - it wasn't his first and probably hasn't been his last - or perhaps has who knows - all I feel is she stayed with him for power reasons only - after a while I thought well its not for me to judge her on her decision to stay with her husband - we all sit in the comfort of our own lives thinking well I would do this or that - and actually the truth is you don't know what you will do when and if it happens - you don't know what space you're going to be in when something like that happens you know - so although Hillary Clinton is not one of my most favourite people on this earth - I am not going to judge her on that decision anymore.

So thats how I feel - believe me I am saying all this and I have laughed my head off at some of the funnies I have read about Bush, Brown, Blair, Mbeki, Zuma, Obama, Clinton- you name it and I have seen some funnies and cried laughing - I am a firm believer in Don't Lose Your Sense of Humour!!!! - I have seen some truths or facts come out and they will thankfully always come out - who was it that said...Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

...John Adams

I have also seen some real nasty comments about them all - those I just delete and ignore and take it from wenst it comes - which brings me back to the Poster at the top of this blog - Kindness

Well thats about all folks - I will pop in periodically - Jayne with a Why and Raven thanx so much for egging me on and all your support - I do enjoy your blogs and read them often. Jayne I cried laughing at that Fokol bottle and story - so funny I actually emailed it to all my buds - too funny - what a fantastic holiday that was huh. Raven WOW about the disney place fantastic - I cant tell you how excited I am for you.

I need to get my A into G and do some real life stuff - you take care of yoursevlesCiao for now !

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Well howdy folks - I haven't been in the mood to blog of late as you can tell - my last post being July - well to be honest I was also so caught up in the Olympics - I was glued to the telly - WOW wasn't that something hey - Way To GO China!!! I tell you the opening ceremony was out of this world - talk about fanbloodytasic hey - I got goosebumps. And then watched the swimming - bloody hell hows that Phelps guy - he is a dolphin I swear - so I am another Phelps Phan hey - shame and his mom well all the Olympians mothers actually I saw them going through their child's event as if they were doing it themselves - so cute hey.

And hows that Star from SA - Natalie Du Toit - one of the NBC broadcasters here in the States interviewed her just before her event and after the Olympics were over he said his most memorable moment that he will take with him all his life is to have been able to watch this magnificent woman compete - I had tears rolling down my face hey - way to go Natalie and all that with only half the leg-propulsion of your rivals. WOW.

I did have a list posted in this post earlier but it was long and didn't really work and Jayne rightly messaged me saying that it was long and hurt her eyes trying to read it and when I edited it - well needless to say a TOTAL screw up and then I thought Aggggg neeee FOKDIT - and deleted it - too much hassle.

Also talking about the Olympics which I didn't know - that little girl that the world saw singing - well she was lip syncing - because the little girl whose voice we heard was not pretty enough so they had her sing the song and that little girl appear - I thought what a bunch of assholes hey - I was so wowed at the ceremonies and so impressed at the whole Chinese nation for that show and what a wonderful experience type thing until I heard that and I thought my goodness that certainly left a bitter taste in my mouth!

So although I still liked the ceremony - those people that made that decision should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I watched this on Oprah and couldn't believe what I was seeing - What an inspirational person this man is - I then found his entire lecture on you tube and watched it and OH MY GOODNESS - he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last Friday and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family

I found his lecture to be so helpful and if you have the time please go and see it - you wont be sorry!

I love the many sayings he has and the one that really hit home base with me was - "You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore" - so true!